Simply picking up and leaving is romantic when you’re young, but as you come into your own and have bills to pay and mouths to feed, it’s a lot more difficult to work out the logistics of a move. At Doostang, we advise you to always look before you leap! However, we also recognize that sometimes circumstances may dictate that you have to leave on short notice, and without a job lined up. If you thought finding a job in your own hometown was difficult, finding employment in a new one is even tougher. You won’t know as many people and you will have a myriad of other things to juggle with the move. Here’s some advice on how to lessen the burden of finding a job in a new town:

Do Your Research

Before you pack up and leave, try to do as much research as you can about the city where you are moving. Figure out what the hot industries are, which companies call the shots, and whom you might be able to contact to help get you in the door. The more you get to know your new city, the less likely you are to feel like a deer in headlights once you get there. Try to gain your bearings prematurely, and you’ll be primed to hit the ground running.

Grow Your Network

Yes, networking is tricky enough from the comfort of your hometown, but it’s important to reach out a little bit before your big move. Try to leverage the network you have to help you meet people in your new city. Make it a goal to get in touch with a short list of new people, so that when you get to your destination you can immediately start to grow your social network. The more people you know, the more opportunities you will have access to, and the more individuals you will have on your side looking out for your best interests.

Reach Out to College Career Centers

Oftentimes, college career centers will be happy to help recent graduates who have moved to a new city. Check to see which ones are around you, and stop by for an informational meeting. Your own college may also have a reciprocity program with another school in your new area, so look into that as well.

Consider Temporary Work

If nothing seems to pan out, don’t be afraid to take on temporary work. This is another great way to establish connections and get your foot in the door with your new city’s job industry. Don’t take just any old job out of desperation, but find something for the interim that keeps you busy, gives you face time with people, and perhaps teaches you a few new skills.

Have a Solid Plan

You should put together a plan for your new life in the new city, including your living expenses and how far your money will take you while you don’t have a job. It’s also important to bear in mind an exit strategy if worse comes to worst.

Making a big move is exciting and presents a multitude of opportunities. It can be stressful as well, but do your best to plan ahead and do the leg work before – as well as after – you get to your destination, and you will certainly lighten your load.

When searching for the perfect job, it’s important not to forget one key component: geography. Where you are and where you’re looking can have a huge impact on the work you eventually find. It’s important to consider the upsides to where you’re currently located, as well as the upside to packing your bags and relocating!

Look Elsewhere

If you find that you’re just not landing the position you want, figure out if you’re searching in the right place. Perhaps you’re having a difficult time finding a job in academia – consider moving your search into a college town or a suburban area with lots of public schools. If you want to go into entertainment, perhaps you should be scouring opportunities in Southern California instead of Southern Iowa. When looking for jobs, it’s easy to forget to look outside the boundaries of our own neighborhood. Contemplating relocation might be difficult, but it might just be the solution.

It’s Not Forever

It’s important, too, to realize that relocating is not something that’s “forever” if you don’t want it to be. For example, if you want to pursue a career in broadcast journalism, it’s often the case that you have to relocate to a smaller market, which may require moving to the middle of nowhere. But as you gain experience and recognition, you can transition to a bigger market in a bigger city. Sometimes you need to get your start in a place where you don’t see yourself staying long term – remember that it’s just the first step.

Quality of Life

One thing to consider when you are looking at relocating is the quality of life that you’ll find when you do. Is having a family important to you, and will a certain city lend itself well to raising one? Can you see yourself living in a big city or a rural countryside? Your job is important, but so is your quality of life. Don’t forget to factor that in when searching for the perfect position.

Available Networks

A factor that may affect your decision to move to another city is the networks that will be available to you when you get there. Perhaps it’s wise to stick around the area where you went to college, as you’ll have an extensive alumni network there. It might also be helpful to move back to the town you grew up in. There are many different networks that you can use to your advantage, and it’s up to you to figure out where you can take advantage of them.

When looking for a job, the sole focus for many people is often the job itself. But don’t forget that location is just as important, and could be the key to why you’re not currently finding the job that you want!